X: Valet

(19) I decided to help from the outside (if earlier - 5/6 and 10/11)

Letha was in her room, dozing. I couldn't resist and went inside. I walked slowly along the bed, looking at the tired, sweetly snoring figure. Carefully, even cautiously, I ran my hand over her cheek. On soft, velvety skin. I don't know why such a desire suddenly arose inside me. Perhaps I was genuinely afraid that something would go wrong and I would never see Letha again. I wanted to remember everything about her. As much as possible.

There was no point even looking for Hunter – he was everywhere and anywhere. The main thing was not to catch his eye without noticing it – I was almost spinning right on the move, looking for his silhouette. Before I left, I just wanted to make sure that Seth and Magic were busy with their own business.

And when I realized that these two were in the office, I had to take desperate measures – climb over the next balcony to eavesdrop on their conversation. And... take a little peek.

"Are you still feeling unwell?"

Magic sat down gently on the arm of the chair.

"Have I ever felt good?"

"I see..."

She patted his shoulders. Seth shifted uncomfortably, shrugged off her hands, and headed for the table.

"We've been in a lot of trouble before."

Magic bowed her head.

"Now, I would even say, we are on the rise."

"Really?"

Seth glared at her.

I didn't think he could do that to Magic.

His hands rested on the wooden tabletop.

"Is that all you can say? Or is there something more interesting?"

She grinned and got up from her seat and walked towards him.

"What do you want from me? To succumb to your paranoid fears? So we could throw tantrums together?"

Seth bared his teeth.

"No, I want you to calm me down. Isn't that what you're usually doing?"

Magic looked away from him, annoyed by Seth's behavior. She shook her head, making a disgusted sound.

"And how do I do that? There're no flasks left."

Magic was looking at him angrily now.

Then something happened that made me open my mouth.

Seth just attacked her with a kiss – it was brazen, harsh, rude. And I think I even understand why – his nerves were on edge.

Magic staggered back, other's hand was already on her chest. Seth kept clinging, and she barely reciprocated. When she finally managed to push Seth away, she immediately slapped him savagely in the face.

For a while, the room became very quiet. I held my breath. Seth leaned back on the table, his gaze turned to the floor – he was standing sideways to Magic, making sense of what had happened. He licked his lips impetuously.

Magic no longer looked angry – which surprised me very much – she was looking at him with either weariness or condescension. After a couple of moments, she came up point blank and, unceremoniously grabbing Seth by the chin, turned his face to her.

I waited with trepidation for her verdict.

"You could have asked for that."

Magic said impudently.

This made me smile involuntarily. Not only me, but also Seth.

She literally threw his face aside and straightened up.